Comfort Food From Louisiana: Chef Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Crawfish, Pepper Jack and Shrimp-Tomato Bisque Soup: April Is National Grilled Cheese Month

Comfort Food From Louisiana: Chef Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Crawfish, Pepper Jack and Shrimp-Tomato Bisque Soup: April Is National Grilled Cheese Month: From Denny:  Now this is an exotic version of the humble comfort food:  the American grilled cheese sandwich.

You have no idea how hard it was when visiting Austria a few years ago when I attempted to explain how to make a simple grilled cheese sandwich to a local chef.  It was a seriously foreign concept to them.  They didn't have a clue.  Lots of delicious local cheeses yet no Austrian version of a grilled cheese sandwich!  Imagine that.

This Louisiana version comes from executive chef Carl Schaubhut of Café Adelaide in New Orleans.  Of course, as seafood, this rich sandwich is considered Lenten season friendly.  Serve by pairing it with the shrimp-tomato bisque soup. Here in Louisiana we always look for an excuse to enjoy our bountiful seafood so why not go meat free on Fridays even when it isn't Lent?  (You know, that special time that arrives after Mardi Gras and before Easter.)  Our restaurants enjoy creating Lenten season menus, always topping themselves from the year previous!...

World's Awesome Mom Woven Throw Pillow

Remember Mother's Day - Check out who is top cat in this family tree: Mom!  
Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  

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Comfort Food From Louisiana: New Orleans Recipe: Crescent City Shrimp Jambalaya

Comfort Food From Louisiana: New Orleans Recipe: Crescent City Shrimp Jambalaya: From Denny:  Not in the mood for the chicken version of jambalaya?  No problem; make it with shrimp and andouille sausage for a change of pace.  Shrimp is ridiculously popular down South that we are forever creating new dishes to keep up with the demand.

Louisiana cooking is based off of French cooking and with the same mindset of employing whatever food sources are at hand.  From the bayous or spillways teeming with yummy crayfish to the gorgeous shrimp and oysters from the Gulf of Mexico we create recipes around our bountiful food.

Louisiana Seafood Reusable Shopping Bag

Check out awesome Louisiana eating: oysters, shrimp, crawfish, gumbo, jambalaya

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Comfort Food From Louisiana: New Orleans Chef Recipe: Crabmeat-Shrimp Fritters, Creole Tomato Dressing

Comfort Food From Louisiana: New Orleans Chef Recipe: Crabmeat-Shrimp Fritters, Creole Tomato Dressing: From Denny:  Like to make easy fritters for the family for a quick meal?  I sure remember those yummy clam or corn fritters my mother used to make on Saturdays when I was a kid.  Apple fritters are equally tasty, especially when dusted with some cinnamon and sugar.  So, when I run across yet another variation to The Fritter Family then I'm game to try it.

This new fritter recipe comes from New Orleans Chef John Besh and Zatarain's.  Claw crabmeat, corn and small shrimp are featured in this recipe along with its own special tomato creole dressing.  Pull out your food processor to make this easy tasty dressing of Creole seasoning, garlic, Creole mustard (like stone ground mustard) and tomato.  Chill for an hour and then you are off to the dinner races!

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Comfort Food From Louisiana: Chef Emeril Lagasse Bakers Dozen: 5 Shrimp and 8 More Recipes

Comfort Food From Louisiana: Chef Emeril Lagasse Bakers Dozen: 5 Shrimp and 8 More Recipes: "I own a number of his cookbooks and enjoy every one of them. He really understands when people are pressed for time to produce a good meal but don't want to skimp on freshness or full flavor. Emeril always hits the right note, especially with his famous Emeril's Essence, with his recipe provided here too."

From NYC Chef Chris Santos: Shrimp, Ribs, Whoopie Pies

Fabulous food for four on a budget from The Early Show on CBS.

From Denny: CBS The Early Show sponsors the Shoestring Budget series where chefs compete to see who can come in under $40, serving four for a meal. Yeah, and we get the benefit of the stellar recipes!

This week's chef is Chris Santos of the very popular New York City restaurant, The Stanton Social, that has been a New York mainstay for six years running. Be sure to check out his awesome menu because I sure did. I always look at the desserts just to see how innovative, creative and attuned a chef is to most people's taste buds. Are they ridiculous over-worked creations or are they destined to become wonderful standards? Santos passes The Denny Test. :) Santos has a newer eatery, called the Beauty & Essex, already one of the hottest eateries in the city. This chef is definitely on the move.

At Stanton Social he shows his eclectic colors where he offers to locals and tourists tastes. He offers standards like grilled cheese and tomato soup dumplings to more exotic lobster tacos.

Check out Chris' three course meal for an inexpensive dinner. He even shows you how to make your own marshmallow fluff for the Whoopie Pies. I like the way this guy thinks!

Recipes Featured:

Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Tangerine Barbeque Glazed Baby Back Ribs
Whoopie Pies

Video and Recipe: Fried Shrimp with Crab Etouffee Topping

From CajunCookingTV.com:




Ingredients for Fried Shrimp Norman:

1 pound Large or Jumbo Shrimp

Crab Etouffee (see recipe)

1 package Fish/Shrimp Fry (or Corn Flour)

½ cup All-purpose Flour

1 Tablespoon Tony’s Creole Seasoning

1 Tablespoon Sea Salt

Canola Oil

1 egg

½ cup milk

Directions:

Make Crab Etouffee according to recipe, but use less water or stock. Etouffee should be a thick consistency.

Peel shrimp leaving the tail on. Slice deep through the top of the shrimp to both devein the shrimp (take out the black vein) and butterfly it for frying. Set aside in a bowl.

In a mixing bowl, prepare the Fish/Shrimp fry by blending ½ cup All-purpose flour, Sea Salt and Tony’s Creole Seasoning.

In another small mixing bowl, crack the egg and stir in ½ cup milk. This is the egg wash.

Take each shrimp and coat in the egg wash.

Move shrimp to the Fish Fry mixture and coat with corn flour.

Fan out the tail for a pretty presentation (be careful – there is a sharp point on the tail of a shrimp that can pierce your hand or finger). Place a clean platter.

Heat oil. Fry Shrimp a few at a time until golden brown or floating on top the oil. Remove the shrimp to a paper towel lined platter to blot excess grease.
Serving Suggestions for Fried Shrimp Norman:

To serve, arrange 6-8 shrimp with tails up on a plate.

Spoon the Crab Etouffee over each of the tails or just place in the center.

Adding a small mound of white rice is optional.

To eat and enjoy, take a shrimp and scoop up a dollop of Crab Etouffee and take a big bite of some deliciously good groceries.

Crab Etouffee



Ingredients for Crab Etouffee:

½ lb Fresh Crabmeat (claw or white)

¼ cup of Flour

5 tablespoons butter

2 cups Cajun Trinity with minced garlic

1 can Rotel tomatoes

1 cup white rice

1 teaspoon Tony’s Creole Seasoning

Chopped green onions or Parsley for garnish

Directions:

To begin, in a medium saucepan – boil 2 cups water. Add 1 cup rice. Stir. Cover and turn down the heat to medium low (#3) for 20 minutes.

Next in a large deep skillet melt 1 tablespoon of butter and sauté the Cajun Trinity and minced garlic. Set aside in a bowl. In the same skillet make a roux. Melt 4 tablespoons butter on medium heat (#6). Gradually add in ¼ cup of flour stirring constantly. For an Etouffee, continue to stir until golden brown caramel coloring.

Carefully add the Cajun Trinity back to the skillet. Add Rotel tomatoes and 4 cups water. Stir well and simmer on (#4) for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning or scorching.

Fold in the crab meat. Season with 1 teaspoon of Tony’s Creole Seasoning. Simmer another 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
Serving Suggestions for Crab Etouffee:

Serve Crab Etouffee over rice in a deep plate. Garnish with chopped green onions or fresh chopped parsley for color and a side of garlic French bread.